BIFF leader ‘Motorola’ slain in Maguindanao clash

ANOTORIOUS commander of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (Biff)karialan faction was killed during a firefight with government troops in Maguindanao on Sunday.

Major General Juvymax Uy, Joint Task Force Central and Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, identified the terrorist as Zukarno Guilil alias Motorola.

Guilil, the military said, was the commander of the 4th Division and chief of staff of the Karialan faction. He was also an expert bomb maker.

The BIFF leader was killed during a clash between his group and elements of the 6th Infantry Battalion (6th IB) in Barangay Ganta, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao, early on Sunday.

Lt. Col. Charlie Banaag, 6th IB commander, reported that a firefight erupted after his men cornered the group of Guilil at Barangay Ganta, after its presence was tipped-off by residents.

The soldiers recovered two fragmentation grenades.

Uy said Guilil was responsible for various attacks and bombings in Maguindanao and had several standing warrants of arrests, which include murder, multiple attempted murder, destructive arson and violation of Anti-terrorism Act of 2020.

He was also a known homemade bomb expert of the BIFF.

“The neutralization of alias Motorola gives justice to all victims of BIFF atrocities. The lead given by the residents further shows their desire to end the said terror group,” said Col. Pedro Balisi, commander of the 1st Mechanized Brigade.

Uy vowed to continue hunting down the remnants of the BIFF and Daulah Islamiya who have been attacking communities in Central Mindanao for almost a decade.

“As part of the marching order of President Rodrigo Duterte, we are dedicated to put an end to these terror groups,” Uy said.